Have you been inspired by someone who has given back to the community? Send your nominations for people Making a Difference in an email to: makingadifference@uniontrib.com

In 1996, Malin Burnham and an anonymous donor gave $10 million in seed money to a life sciences research institute that became known as the Burnham Institute for Medical Research. But his fingerprints had been on the San Diego community for years.

While still a teenager, Burnham’s skills at the helm won him a world championship in sailing’s Star Class. As he built his real estate development and insurance business, his passion for yachting continued and he played a leading role in bringing the America’s Cup races to San Diego in 1987. His love of sports led to owning a piece of the Padres and Sockers, attracting a U.S. Olympic Training Center to Chula Vista and chairing the San Diego Hall of Champions Foundation.

Although a graduate of Stanford, Burnham, 84, has long supported UCSD and SDSU, where he spearheaded the purchase of a nearby residence to serve as the president’s home and reception venue. At USD, he co-founded the Burnham-Moores Center for Real Estate.

Burnham has been named “Mr. San Diego,” “Philanthropist of the Year” by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives and “Civic Entrepreneur of the Year” by the local Economic Development Corp.

Most recently, he augmented a proposal to revamp downtown’s Navy Pier as a Veterans Park and symphony venue by securing a $35 million private pledge toward erecting a 500-foot-tall sculpture, “Wings of Freedom,” at the water’s edge. He envisions it becoming a San Diego landmark. Public input is being solicited in the spirit of Burnham’s belief that change is best when people work together.

“I have never accomplished anything favorable or positive in my life by myself. I have always been part of a team,” says Burnham. “Sometimes I have been the head of a team, other times the middle and even the caboose.”

In an interview with the U-T, Burnham talked about what drives his philanthropic spirit, what he loves about San Diego and what he’s most thankful for.

Question: Where did your commitment to philanthropy begin?

Answer: Probably at Stanford. In my freshman year, giving back was often cited as part of the Stanford learning experience. The example usually given was that only one half of my tuition cost was paid for by my parents. Later, philanthropy was a business survival strategy: the need to be involved and highly knowledgeable regarding our community.

Q: Who has most inspired you over the years?

A: Sol Price, Bob Golden and Bruce Hazard. Sol Price taught me to propose many ideas even if a majority would never work. Bob Golden showed me how to take leadership even if I wasn’t in charge. Bruce Hazard demonstrated the importance of teamwork vs. being a single leader.

Q: Do you have a favorite saying or motto?

A: “Community before self.”

Q: At age 17, you became the youngest sailor to win the Star Class World Championship and have credited the character traits acquired in your junior sailing days as invaluable in business and life. What are they?

A: My “Seven Virtues” are: commitment (You have to show up on time at the starting line), dedication (You must work every day to excel), hard work (I did all the sanding, painting and rigging with my own hands), teamwork, follow through, playing by the rules (ethics is very important) and planning ahead (You must have both short- and long-term goals).

Q: What makes San Diego special?

A: The can-do innovational spirit of San Diego that allows us to do things never done before, such as the Sanford Consortium for Stem Cell Research. Nowhere in the world previously have five world-class medical research institutes come together to do their discoveries under one roof.

Q: What are the three most important issues on the horizon for our region?

A: K-12 education: Our school systems must get serious about adopting best practices. Job growth: We need to concentrate on the “low hanging fruit” as shrinking military budgets bring overseas personnel and equipment (ships and planes) back to San Diego bases. Transportation: With authorized transit funds, we need to build more mass transit and freeway lanes.

Q: If you had a magic wand, or an unlimited budget, or both, what would you wish for this city?

A: To follow John D. Spreckels’ 1923 advice of cooperation and team play.

Q: What is the biggest mistake that has been made in San Diego’s development?

A: Not building our next airport.

Q: Philanthropy, in a broader sense, is not just giving money but providing ideas and inspiration to others to achieve great things. You are often described as a visionary. Of what ideas are you most proud?

A: The new Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement at the San Diego Foundation, because it has the potential for shaping San Diego’s future. The center is a new concept to bring community leaders from throughout San Diego County together in one place, where diverse ideas can be molded together into action plans addressing the needs of an additional 1.3 million population expected over the next 40 years.

Q: While the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute bears your name, much of your work is done quietly behind the scenes through motivating others. Can you give an example in which you were a key, but publicly silent, player?

A: Recognizing and seizing the opportunity to invite Denny Sanford to be our partner. (T. Denny Sanford, a South Dakota-based financier, pledged $50 million in early 2010 to the institute.)

Q: You have been credited with founding or co-founding 14 nonprofit organizations for the betterment of San Diego. Name your favorite ones.

A: The Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and the USS Midway Museum. According to our scientific leaders, the institute’s discoveries have contributed to the saving of more than 1 million lives per year. It’s not often that one can be associated with an organization that can make positive changes throughout the world. As for the USS Midway Museum, it’s not only San Diego’s newest icon, but (I believe it to be) also the only major nonprofit museum in the U.S. that operates in the black before fundraising.

Q: What do you consider your biggest failure and why?

A: Not being able to turn around our federal government’s backward policies toward our good neighbor, Mexico.

Q: A new mayor will step into office soon. What advice would you give him or her?

A: Learn the art of collaboration.

Q: Tell us something that few people know about you.

A: I’m still playing handball at age 84.

Q: How did you meet your wife, Roberta, and how has she influenced your actions?

A: We met on a blind date. She is my best positive critic and supporter.

Q: Describe a day in the life of Malin Burnham.

A: I enjoy working, usually six days per week. Keeping the mind active is equally as important as working on the body. I retired from all business interests in 1986. I’m fully involved in a multitude of different projects, and I’m generally focused one to 20 years in the future. You might be surprised to know that I have never owned a cellphone and don’t know how to turn on a computer. (Yes, I do have a most able office assistant.)

Q: Name five people who show the potential to pick up the cudgel and be tomorrow’s leaders.